Toilet flushing assembly

ABSTRACT

A water storage flushing tank for use with toilets is formed with a funnel-shaped lower portion to insure that all water drains fully from the tank each cycle and is at least partially circular cross-section to induce a vortex action in the water when flushing. In a modification, the inner walls of the tank are formed with helical ribs to enhance the vortex action. The tank may be in detachable sections to facilitate servicing. The water control system for the tank includes a dumping valve carried on the end of a stem actuated by a release mechanism and normally closing the drain opening at the base of the tank. The valve element includes an open ended sphere provided with a replaceable resilient sleeve forming a tight seal with the valve seat when closed. A refill mechanism includes a fixed cylinder communicating with an inlet pipe and carrying a movable piston with an upright rod connected thereto. An inverted hemispherical float carried by the rod moves the piston up and down with changes in water level in the tank. The piston is adapted to open and close an inlet port which controls the flow of water into the tank and into the refill tube to an overflow pipe.

United States Patent 1 Costello Jan. 21, 1975 TOILET FLUSHING ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Albert D. Costello, 303 E. Eagle St.,

East Boston, Mass. 02128 22 Filed: July 9,1973

211 App]. No.: 377,260

[52] US. Cl. 4/67 R, 4/18 [51] Int. Cl E03d 5/02, E03d 5/09, E03d 1/20 [58] Field of Search ..4/1,12,l6,13, 14, 18,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examinerl-1enry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmMorse, Altman, Oates & Bello ABSTRACT A water storage flushing tank for use with toilets is formed with a funnel-shaped lower portion to insure that all water drains fully from the tank each cycle and is at least partially circular cross-section to induce a vortex action in the water when flushing. In a modification, the inner walls of the tank are formed with helical ribs to enhance the vortex action. The tank may be in detachable sections to facilitate servicing. The water control system for the tank includes a dumping valve carried on the end of a stem actuated by a release mechanism and normally closing the drain opening at the base of the tank. The valve element includes an open ended sphere provided with a replaceable re- "silient sleeve forming a tight seal with the valve seat when closed. A refill mechanism includes a fixed cylinder communicating with an inlet pipe and carrying a movable piston with an upright rod connected thereto. An inverted hemispherical float carried by the rod moves the piston up and down with changes in water level in the tank. The piston is adapted to open and close an inlet port which controls the flow of water into the tank and into the refill tube to an overflow p e- 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED I915 3,860,972 sum 2 OF 2 mun-mun Fla] 6 TOILET FLUSHING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to gravity flushing systems for'toilets andmore particularly is directed towards a new and improved flush tank and valve mechanism of efficient, compact construction and operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional water storage tanks for toilets are usually of a somewhat box-like construction with fiat. side, top and bottom walls in which the drain opening is raised somewhat from the bottom of the tank. As a result, a flushing cycle leaves a residual amount of water remaining in the tank and this tends to stagnate. Also, the flow of the water out of the tank is not particularly efficient with the result that more water than is necessary is required to be stored and used in a cycle. Furthermore, present systems tend to encourage the growth of algae on the inside walls of the tank. In addition, valving systems currently available are relatively complex and difficult to service.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved water storage tank for toilets characterized by a highly efficient flushing action. Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved valving system for use with a water storage tank for toilets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention features a toilet tank flushing system comprising a tank housing of at least partially circular cross-section formed with a funnel-shaped lower portion connecting with the flushing inlet for the toilet bowl whereby the entire tank is emptied fully each cycle. In a modification, the tank walls are formed with helically grooved shoulders to impart a vortex action to the water as it drains for a more efficient flushing action. The tank drain opening is opened and closed by means of a spherical tank ball open at its lower end and provided with a replacable resilient sleeve. The tank housing may be made in detachable sections to facilitate servicing the valving mechanism. The flushing system also includes an automatic refill mechanism including a float actuated piston slidably mounted within a fixed valve connected both to the tank and to the overflow tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial front elevation view of a toilet flushing tank made according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view in side elevation thereof,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof with the cover removed,

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail front view showing the refill valve mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a detailed front sectional view showing the flush valve mechanism,

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the flush valve and stem assembly,

FIG. 7 is a sectional front view of the replaceable sleeve in the FIG. 6 device,

FIG. 8 is a sectional front elevation showing a modification of the tank in accordance with the invention, and,

FIG. 9 is a view in front elevation partly in section showing another modification thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 10 generally indicates a water storage tank adapted to contain a quantity of water for use in flushing a toilet bowl 12 on which the tank 10 is mounted. In accordance with the invention and as best shown in FIG. 3, the tank 10 is at least semi-circular in cross-section to form a somewhat cylindrical configuration and disposed in an upright position on the bowl 12. While a true cylindrical configuration is preferred. for reason of compactness and adaptability to existing bowl equipment, a somewhat flattened cross-section is employed. As shown in FIG. 3, an elliptical configuration is modified by flat vertical wall 14 which may be on the front or rear of the tank in order to allow the tank to fit conveniently between the bowl seat and a back wall 16.

The tank 10 may be fabricated from various materials such as china, enameled iron, plastic or the like. The tank may be of unitary construction, as are standard tanks of this type, or if the tank is relatively high. it may be fabricated in two sections adapted to be disassembled to facilitate servicing the valving mechanism within the tank. Such a two part tank is shown in FIGS. I and through 3 and is comprised ofa lower section 18 and an upper section 20 nested thereon. A standard cover 22 is mounted to the top of the upper section 20 in the usual fashion.

The upper section is telescopically mounted into the lower section so that the inner walls are flush with one another as best shown in FIG. 2. The lower section will be seen to be formed with an inner annular shoulder 24 having a tongue 26 extending thereabout and engaging an annular gasket 28, H-shaped in cross-section and formed of a suitable gasket material such a rubber or the like. A surrounding outer wall extension 30 is formed integral with the lower section to stabilize the upper section 20 as best shown in FIG. 2. The upper section is formed with a tongue 32 about its lower edge to fit into the grooved upper face of the gasket. The two sections are held together by clamps 34 comprised of a hook 36 fastened to the upper section and a pivoted buckle 38 on the lower section operated by means of a pivoted pressure latch 40 adapted to lock the sections together. The upper section of the tank may be stabilized by means of a strap 42 fastened at one end to the wall 16 and at the opposite end connected by a clamp 44 to a pad 46 also attached to the wall. In the event that it becomes necessary to service the mechanism within the tank, the strap 42 is first disconnected and then the clamps 34 are released allowing the upper section 20 to be lifted up out of the lower section 18 thereby allowing full and easy access to the interior of the apparatus. The service man will. or course, first drain the tank and shut off the inlets so that the tank will be empty.

The tank is mounted to the bowl 12 by means of tie bolts 48 provided with sleeve spacers 50. A collar 52 is fitted between the inlet opening of the bowl l2 and the outlet opening of the tank 10.

It will be noted that the interior of the tank is somewhat circular in cross-section and at its lower section forms into a funnel configuration terminating in a drain passage 54 at the lower end thereof communicating with the collar 52 and the inlet of the bowl 12. If the tank is a wall hung unit a 2" IPS threaded pipe 55 is fitted between the lower neck of the tank and a 2" flush all bowl. The passage 54 is normally closed off by a valve 56 to be described more fully below. By constructing the tank with the funnel configuration shown, all or substantially all of the water in the tank will drain out with each flushing action so that no residue will remain to cause or encourage the growth of algae which commonly occurs in other tanks of a flat bottom configuration where stagnant water tends to accumulate. Also, a circular or semi-circular cross-sectional configuration allows the water in the tank to rotate in a vortex as it drains through the opening 54. This action provides a better flushing result and also tends to scrub the inner walls of the tank thereby further inhibiting the growth of algae in keeping the interior of the tank clean. The vortexing action of the water draining from the tank may be enhanced by forming smoothly rounded internal helical grooves 58 in the tank walls as shown in the modification of FIG. 8. The helical grooves induce the water to rotate more efficiently as it drains out of the tank.

In another modification, as shown in FIG. 9, the tank is in the configuration of an inverted cone which may be in one or two pieces and is formedwith internal helical grooves 58'. This configuration produces an even greater vortexing action to the water as it drains out with a funnel configuration and provides a greater pressure head to the water to enhance the flushing action. If the tank is a wall hung unit, it may be mounted to the wall by forming integral ears to the rear portion of the tank in lieu of the strap of the FIG. 1 embodiment. The ears may be pre-formed with screw holes for fastening directly to the adjacent wall 16. While the helical grooves may extend the full height of the tank, as shown, satisfactory results are achieved if the groove extend only part way up the tank walls.

The tank, whether of one or two piece construction, is provided with a water release mechanism generally indicated by the reference character 60 and a water refill mechanism generally indicated by the reference character 62. The water release mechanism 60 includes the spherical valve 56 carried on the end of a stem 64 which is somewhat loosely fitted for sliding movement to a guide 66 carried on the outer end of an arm 68. The inner end of the arm 68 is provided with a tapped socket engaging a threaded boss 70 which may be formed integral with the wall of the tank to facilitate assembly. In any event, the guide for the stem and valve permits sliding reciprocation thereof with the upper end of the stem 64 provided with an eye 72 connected by a linkage 74 to a cross arm 76 actuated by a handle 68 on the exterior of the tank. It will be understood that by actuating the handle 78 the stem 64 will be lifted up and this, in turn, will raise valve 56 sufficiently for water within the tank to flush down through the drain opening 54 into the bowl. The valve 56 will remain raised by reason of a spherical configuration and by reason of the fact that it is hollow and thereby tending to float in the water. When all of the water has drained from the tank, the valve will drop down into a closed position and as the tank refills, water pressure on the top part of the valve 56 will keep the valve closed. The guide 66 preferably is somewhat restricted by close tolerances so that the stem 64 will move rather slowly downward to prevent premature closing of the valve 56 before all of the water has drained. Also, instead of the single arm 68 supporting the guide 66, a three or four legged spider type bracket with a central hub may be employed. In such an embodiment the tank walls may have integral grooves to engage the outer ends of the spider legs in a twist lock engagement.

The valve element itself. as best shown in FIGS. 5. 6 and 7, is hemispherical, being formed with an opening 80 in its lower vace communicating with the passage 54. The opposite side ofthe ball valve 56 is formed with a closed tapped socket 82 thrcadably engaging the lower end of the stem 64. The outer surface of the ball 56 is formed with a circumferential groove 84 adapted to receive an annular rib 86 formed on a resilient sleeve 88 normally mounted over the lower portion of the valve 56. The sleeve 88 is a replaceable element and serves to provide a good sealing action between the valve 56 and a valve seat 90 preferably is a resilient insert or may be integral with the tank walls.

The sleeve 88 is also formed with an opening 92 at its lower end in register with the opening 80 in the ball 56. In practice, the sleeve 88 is replaced when necessary by merely disengaging the lip 86 from the groove 84 and removing the old sleeve. A new sleeve is then fitted into position.

The refill mechanism 62 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is organized about a valve member 94 comprised of an inner cylinder 96 and an outer housing 98. The lower end of the valve unit is connected by a conduit 100 to a coupling 102 through the tank wall to a conduit 104 providing a source of fresh water under pressure to the valve 62.

The conduit 100 may pass through the tank wall at various angles depending upon the particular bowl and tank employed. Regardless of the angle the tank will never have to be drained by hand, use a cap, rag or sponge, for example, whenever the ball cock is to be replaced. The water supply is simply shut off and the tank lever actuated to draw out all of the water quickly and completely.

In practice, a filter or screen may be mounted in the coupling 102 to prevent entry of particles which may adversely affect operation of the mechanism. Water feeding through the conduit I00 first enters a passage 106 formed between the housing 98 and the cylinder 96 and communicates with a portion 108 to the interior of the cylinder 96. A piston 110 is mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder and, as may be seen in FIG. 4, the port 108 will be open when the piston is in its illustrated lower position. However, should the piston rise to an upper position, the port 108 will be closed, thereby stopping the influx of water to the tank. The housing 98 and inner cylinder 96 may be disassembled for replacement of the piston 110.

Assuming the piston is down as shown, water will pass through the port 108 and into a passage 112 between the housing 98 of the cylinder 96. This passage communicates at its lower end through an opening 114 to the interior of the tank and it is through this opening that the tank will refill after each flushing cycle. The upper end of the passage I12 connects through a conduit 116 to an overflow tube 118 extending vertically at the rear of the tank. The overflow tube 118, as may be seen in FIG. 2, is mounted at its lower end in the lower wall of the tank and communicates with a passage I20 formed in the tank. The passage 120 terminates at its lower end in the passage 54 below the valve 56. The function of the overflow tube and passage 120 is to deliver water to the bowl 12 after the valve 56 is closed in order to refill the how] 12 after the valve 56 is closed in order to refill the bowl 12 to its normal level after a flushing cycle. This flow of water to the overflow tube terminates at the same time that the tank refill cycle terminates. The flow of water to the tank and refill tube is stopped when the piston 110 is raised automatically by means of a float 122 to its upper position where it closes off the port 108.

The float 122, as best shown in FIG. 4, is mounted to the upper end of a connecting rod 124 the lower end of which engages the piston 110. The float 122 is somewhat cylindrical having an open lower end and an inverted hemispherical wall 126 which traps air therein to provide the necessary floatation to move up and down with the level of water within the tank. The float 122 is also provided with a cylindrical wall 128 at its upper portion forming a void therebetween with the hemispherical wall 26. This void may be filled or partially filled with water as shown in FIG. 4 to provide some weight to the float to facilitate the downward movement of the connecting rod 124 and the piston 110 during the flushing action. The connecting rod 124 will be seen to pass through the bushing 130 in the upper end of the valve housing 94. In order to provide for adjusting the water level in the tank, the connecting rod 124 is formed with vertically spaced annular grooves 132 which serve as stops for a snap ring 134 mounted in a hub 136 on the upper end of the float.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl,

b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending inner chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section,

c. at least the lower portions of the inner front, side and rear walls of said chamber defining a funnel and formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl,

d. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid,

e. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof, and,

f. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means.

2. A flushing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tank includes upper and lower sections detachably connected to one another along a joint located below the normal waterline of said tank.

3. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like, comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl,

b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section,

c. the lower portion ofsaid chamber defining a funnel formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl,

d. the inner walls of said tank being formed with substantially helical shoulders oriented about a vertical axis,

e. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid,

f. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof. and,

g. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means.

4. A flushing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said chamber defines an inverted cone.

5. A flushing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said valve means includes a hollow and substantially spherical member open at its lower end and mounted for vertical reciprocation to and away from said drain opening, said member being formed with a circumferential groove and a hemispherical sleeve of resilient material detachably mounted to said member, said sleeve being formed with an opening at its lower end in registration with said ball opening and formed with a rib about its upper margin for engaging said groove.

6. A flushing assembly according to claim 5 including a vertical stem connected to said member and a fixed tubular guide mounted to the wall of said tank and slidably supporting said stem.

7. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like, comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl,

b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section,

c. the lower portion of said chamber defining a funnel and formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl,

(1. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid,

e. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof, and,

f. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means,

g. said refill means including a cylinder formed with a port, a housing enclosing said cylinder and connected to said conduit, a piston mounted for vertical reciprocation in said cylinder and adapted to open and close said port,.a connecting rod vertically connected to said piston and a float mounted to said rod and adapted to move said rod and piston up and down with changes in the level of liquid in said chamber. 

1. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl, b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending inner chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section, c. at least the lower portions of the inner front, side and rear walls of said chamber defining a funnel and formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl, d. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid, e. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof, and, f. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means.
 2. A flushing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tank includes upper and lower sections detachably connected to one another along a joint located below the normal waterline of said tank.
 3. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like, comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl, b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section, c. the lower portion of said chamber defining a funnel formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl, d. the inner walls of said tank being formed with substantially helical shoulders oriented about a vertical axis, e. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid, f. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof, and, g. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means.
 4. A flushing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said chamber defines an inverted cone.
 5. A flushing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said valve means includes a hollow and substantially spherical member open at its lower end and mounted for vertical reciprocation to and away from said drain opening, said member being formed with a circumferential groove and a hemispherical sleeve of resilient material detachably mounted to said member, said sleeve being formed with an opening at its lower end in registration with said ball opening and formed with a rib about its upper margin for engaging said groove.
 6. A flushing assembly according to claim 5 including a vertical stem connected to said member and a fixed tubular guide mounted to the wall of said tank and slidably supporting said stem.
 7. A flushing assembly for toilet bowls and the like, comprising a. a tank mountable upright to said bowl, b. said tank being formed with a vertically extending chamber of arcuate horizontal cross-section, c. the lower portion of said chamber defining a funnel and formed with a drain opening at the base thereof communicating with said bowl, d. conduit means connecting said tank to a source of flushing liquid, e. valve means adapted to release liquid from said tank through said opening upon actuation thereof, and, f. refill means connected to said conduit means for automatically refilling said tank with liquid after actuation of said valve means, g. said refill means including a cylinder formed with a port, a housing enclosing said cylinder and connected to said conduit, a piston mounted for vertical reciprocation in said cylinder and adapted to open and close said port, a connecting rod vertically connected to said piston and a float mounted to said rod and adapted to move said rod and piston up and down with changes in the level of liquid in said chamber. 